WALLINGFORD — Whether you’re Irish or not, the Celtic Woman has a performance planned for the Toyota Oakdale Theatre on Saturday that everyone can appreciate and is sure to have people tapping their feet along to the music.

The Celtic Woman kicked off its 10th anniversary tour in Dublin, Ireland before landing in the United States for a performance in Syracuse, New York on March 6. The group will tour more than 80 cities in the United States and also perform in Europe, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

A decade of music and dance from the Emerald Isles will be celebrated through the anniversary tour.

“It’s a really lively show,” said Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, a member and vocalist with Celtic Woman who goes by “Méav” on the tour.

The show has some traditional Irish music and dance mixed with some newer songs and other tracks featured over the last 10 years, she said.

Three vocalist and a Celtic violinist makeup the Celtic Woman.

“It’s not just the four girls on stage, you have a fantastic live band and some of the best musicians in Ireland,” said Susan McFadden, a vocalist with the Celtic Woman.

The Celtic Woman are accompanied by a 15-member ensemble of Irish dancers, the Aontas choir, and a full band.

The band uses traditional Celtic instruments in the performance that include bagpipes, Uilleann pipes, and a bodhran.

Audience members can expect “more movement” and fun surprises during the show as well, Méav added.

Classic Irish songs to look forward to on Saturday include “Danny Boy” and “Mo Ghile Mhear.”

The original Celtic Woman show was planned as a one-night, was very formal and presented as a concert, Méav said.

Ten years later, the women are still performing and their show has been broadcasted on PBS, which started in 2005.

Since that time, the Celtic Woman has sold more than 8 million copies of its 9 CDs and 8 DVDs. “Emerald Musical Gems” released in 2013 debuted in 2013 and held the Billboard World Album Chart’s top slot for 112 consecutive weeks.

“Now, it’s really evolved and it’s become more free,” Méav said of the show.

One of the solos that McFadden performs on the tour is a song called “Caledonia.” This year she is performing a different version of it where she sits at a piano and performs.

“It’s a very intimate moment and it’s a really special moment,” she said.

The Celtic Women are looking forward to performing in Wallingford and showcasing the Irish heritage.

“I was raised with the Irish language…you feel you’re sharing your heritage with the audience; I’m proud to do that,” said Méav.

By Farrah Duffany
March 16, 2015
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